Introduction:
Engelbert Humperdinck’s The Way It Used To Be – A Classic Ballad of Love and Memory
When Engelbert Humperdinck recorded The Way It Used To Be in the late 1960s, he created one of the most enduring ballads of his career—a song that still tugs at the heartstrings of listeners more than five decades later. With his signature warmth and emotional depth, Engelbert turned a simple melody and heartfelt lyrics into a timeless story of love, loss, and longing.
The song speaks to a universal experience: remembering a love that once was, yet is no longer. Engelbert’s delivery, with its smooth baritone richness, gives the impression of a man not only singing words but reliving them. Every phrase feels personal, as if he is confiding in the audience about something deeply cherished yet painfully gone. That honesty is what gives the track its lasting power.
Musically, The Way It Used To Be embodies the classic Engelbert style—lush orchestration, a graceful arrangement, and a vocal performance that is both controlled and deeply emotive. Rather than relying on dramatic flair, he allows the natural flow of the song to carry the weight of the emotion. This restraint, paired with his heartfelt tone, leaves the listener not only moved but reflective.
Even today, the song continues to resonate across generations. For older fans, it brings back memories of a golden era of romantic ballads, when love songs were crafted with sincerity and elegance. For younger listeners discovering it now, it offers a glimpse into the artistry that made Engelbert an international star, capable of bridging pop, easy listening, and heartfelt storytelling.
More than just a hit single, The Way It Used To Be is a reminder of why Engelbert Humperdinck’s music has endured: he sings not just with his voice, but with his heart. In every note, he invites the audience to remember, to feel, and to cherish the beauty of love—even if only as a memory.